Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of the Covenant?
The Covenant between God and the Jewish people is nearly 4,000 years old. Abraham promised God that he and all of his descendants would follow a special way of life and try to make the world a better place for all people. By entering our sons into this Covenant we affirm that, as Jews, they have a sacred obligation to improve the world

Why have a brit?
The parents link their son to thousands of years of Jewish heritage. From the very beginning, the baby's Jewish identity is affirmed. The brit is the beginning of a Jewish journey that will last a lifetime.

Rabbi Cooper and his training
A Mohel (often pronounced moyel) officiates at the brit and performs the circumcision. Rabbi Cooper is an expert in circumcision and has extensive training in a hospital setting. He is also an expert in the Jewish law of Brit Milah.

Can our son be circumcised in the hospital and still have a brit?
A circumcision done in a hospital is a medical procedure and not a brit. When done as part of a brit, the circumcision is a religious ritual sanctified with the recitation of blessings.

What if one of the parents is not Jewish?
If the mother is Jewish then, according to all Jewish authorities, the baby is Jewish and should have a brit on the eighth day of life. If the mother is not Jewish, then opinions differ. Some Reform rabbis regard the baby as Jewish while Conservative and Orthodox rabbis will require that the baby be converted to Judaism.

What happens at a brit?
A brit ceremony usually takes 15-20 minutes with the actual circumcision lasting only a minute or two. We begin with the mother lighting candles. Next, the baby is brought into the room on a pillow. At this point, Rabbi Cooper offers an explanation of the meaning of the Brit Milah ceremony. Then, the baby is placed on the Chair of Elijah, symbolizing the prayer that the baby grow up in a world of peace and righteousness. The circumcision takes place next, after which the baby receives his Jewish name. At the conclusion of the Brit it is customary to share a meal of celebration.

How can we personalize the ceremony?
Rabbi Cooper will allow you to make any personal comments you like about this very exciting and moving time of life. If you prefer, he can provide you with a scripted ceremony which can be read by family members and/or all those present.

What type of after care will our son require?
Aftercare involves keeping the genitals covered with a vaseline lubricated gauze pad and applying bacitracin for a few days.

When should Rabbi Cooper be called?
Call Rabbi Cooper as soon as possible once the baby has arrived to assure the most flexibility in scheduling the brit. Feel free to call any time during the pregnancy to discus any aspect of milah.